Answer

In Jain Dharma, Arihant means a soul that has destroyed the inner enemies like attachment, anger, pride, deceit, and greed, and has attained Keval Jnan.

A Tirthankar is a special type of Arihant who not only attains Keval Jnan but also establishes the Tirth — the fourfold Jain Sangh of:

• Sadhu
• Sadhvi
• Shravak
• Shravika

So, every Tirthankar is an Arihant, but every Arihant is not a Tirthankar.

Explanation

Arihant:

• An Arihant has conquered the passions and destroyed the ghati karmas.
• An Arihant possesses infinite knowledge, infinite perception, infinite bliss, and infinite energy.
• Arihants are worthy of worship because they have realized the pure nature of the soul.

Tirthankar:

• A Tirthankar is also an Arihant.
• But a Tirthankar has a special role of reviving and teaching Jain Dharma in the world.
• Tirthankars establish the path of liberation for others by creating the Jain Sangh.
• There are 24 Tirthankars in each half-cycle of time according to Jain tradition.

Simple Difference

• Arihant = One who has attained Keval Jnan and conquered inner enemies.
• Tirthankar = An Arihant who becomes a spiritual founder and guide for the Sangh.

Spiritual Understanding

Both Arihants and Tirthankars are supremely pure and worthy of devotion. The special greatness of a Tirthankar is that they show the path of liberation to countless souls and re-establish the Dharma for the benefit of the world.

Takeaway

Tirthankar is a special category of Arihant. All Tirthankars are Arihants, but not all Arihants become Tirthankars.